BLOG HOP....favorite pictures

Today is the McKlinkey Blog Hop and today's topic is favorite pictures....oh snap...that one is gonna be tough. I love pictures and don't know how I will choose just a few....but I will try.

We had friends over for dinner a few weeks ago and I cooked spaghetti. My big kids love spaghetti and I found out that Jesse likes it a lot........and he thinks it might make a good mosturizer as well....needless to say, he had to take a bath while my friends finished dinner.

This is the first day of school....and while I hate the first day of school and wish that my kids didn't have to go....I loved this picture. It's my four young 'uns hanging in the kitchen before we walked out. Four unique individuals...yet they all favor one another.......except for Jesse's platinum hair....he is the only one with that!

The next pics are random ones that I love and show who my family is....in all their craziness!!

I love this one of Addie.....it screams JOY!!!!

Shelby and the most handsome man around (who by the way, weighs 219.....smallest I have ever seen him....he has lost almost 70 pounds since end of April)!

Chuck and Jesse....brothers....'nuff said!

My husband......this man loves JESUS...and also likes to pretend that he is playing the drum...when he can't!!


This is Jesse at the water park....why I love this one....the tiny water drops on his fat cheeks!!

See...told you I couldn't do it...a few turned into many! Oh well...my life has been so blessed....Thank you Lord!

Blog Award

I won something......yeah me! I have a sweet friend over at EcoChic named Calley, and she gave me a blog award. Exciting right? For me it was. Calley is married to one of Ric's best friends from High School. They were definitely trouble together back in the day. Calley and I met years ago after Ric and I were married and we had the honor of cooking dinner for them when I was pregnant with Addie. The day they came over Ric and I had been working in the nursery putting up some finishing touches and I had my favorite lasagna in the oven. This said lasagna is my staple...my go to...if you are coming over to eat for the first time...I am making it...and a big salad...but it's getting made! I was so preoccupied working in the nursery, that guess what?? Yep....I burnt it...bad. We still ate it....without the top layer of cheese of course...but we ate. I told you that long story for this reason....if Calley, after burnt lasagna can give me an award, than I am stoked. Go check her out at the EcoChic...she does awesome stuff!



I am supposed to pass this award on to three blogs that I follow.....for whatever reason I want. I want to tell you about three ladies that I stalk...ahm.....follow....that don't know me from Adam, but their blogs are great.



I love Melissa over at The Stretch Marks blog....she is a hoot...but can be so poignant. I love to read her blog to laugh...cry....and then laugh again. She is an awesome Godly lady who has been through so much in the last years. Please go check out her blog and read about whatever she is thinking......and yes, it can sometimes be unpredictable...and that,my friends, is why I love her!



I found Shannon over at Bless our Nest recently, and her blog is awesome. She has awesome decorating ideas.....tips on turning something not so cute....into something "real cute"! She has a heart for God that even shines through decorating tips. Check her blog out and see why so many folks nests are blessed. I know she will bless yours!



The last blog is Ashley at Life Beyond the Pink. I like...okay....love reading her blog because she is someone I can relate with. She loves her family, has precious kids,and a husband in the ministry! I love to get a fresh perspective from other pastor's wives....and she truly blesses my heart, by just being real. Go check her sweet family out.

Thanks for the award Calley.....

Written on The Dooposts

Go check out the new blog I have been working on for my new company...."Written on the Doorposts". It is a vinyl lettering company and while my website and catalog are in the works...praying that they will be done in the next few weeks...I have started a blog...and twittering. You know, anything to get the word out people!! Go take a look.....more products will be up for sale as I get the templates...in the next few weeks...praying for that!

Check it out.....http://writtenonthedoorposts.blogspot.com/2009/08/chick-family.html

Tiny Truth's Thursday......Praying on the Potty

Ever feel like you just can't get it together......that life is throwing too many things at you and you can't even come up for air? I have...and right now I am thrashing around for air. I sit here..my house is in somewhat shambles.....the laundry is piled high....I still have lunches to pack....things to pick up.....and I seriously am sitting here...writing. My kids start school tomorrow and I am sad...depressed....already dreading it all. We have friends, left and right, that are going through tough times....spiritually....financially....oh, the list could go on. I sit here and wonder how I will get through it. Through this day...this hour...the next minute! And I am reminded ....I just have to TRUST my King and I have to pray.

Last night I was hustling to get the kids in the bed after getting home from church. I normally pray with all four of them together, but on this night, it was a "get on your pj's, grill brushed(ya know...teeth)....and I will be in to tuck you in". I got Jesse situated in his big boy bed...Charlie prayed with for protection from the monsters under his bed(seriously people....he's 7)...and then I headed to the end of the hall to the girls. I was walking to Addie's room first and I heard Shelby talking....loud. I said "Shelby Jean...you better hush before I give you something to talk loud about"....she answered me..."I was just praying MOM!" It made me chuckle...and it warmed my heart. After I prayed with Addie and tucked her in and gave her hugs and kisses twice(she has a routine)...I went into Shelby's room and she was still praying. I went and sat on her bed and listened to her...and then she quit and asked me to pray over her. I did, and when I finished she asked me..."Mom, can I keep praying?" I told her that she could pray whenever her little heart desired....that it was important to pray. She smiled and I hugged her and reminded her to potty and she asked me really seriously....."Mommy, can I pray while I potty?" I just smiled and said "Yes you can baby girl, yes you can!"

When times are tough....crazy....sad....chaotic.....I have to remind myself to spend time with my Lord. To take the time to pour my heart out to Him.....whatever may be going on in my life....I know He wants me to come to Him. He tells me that in His Word:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing"

Luke 18:1 "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men ought to always pray and not lose heart"

Not lose heart....wow, I so many times lose heart and want to cave in...but I know my God doesn't want me to! If I pray.....if we pray.....then we won't lose heart. WE won't grow weary....we won't give up! When the bills keep coming....the trials keep pressing......the laundry keeps piling.......pray and don't lose heart! I will keep reminding myself of this today....tommorrow...ok, forever! I will strive to pray...always.....even when I go potty like Shelby!

Tiny Truth's for This Thursday:

~Tough times come

~Kids have to go to school...even when Mom hates it

~Shelby likes praying.....Loudly.......and on the Potty

~Don't lose heart....even when we want to

~Pray.....always!!!!

It's Almost Here..........

We had dinner with some dear friends last night....and basically let our kids run wild in the backyard while we talked. Don't ya love fenced in back yards! I wish that I had one for sure! I love being around my friends and just talking to them and getting to fellowship with other believers. They are a blessing to me. Addie almost gave Riley a concussion, Clint almost ripped his arm off on the swing, Charlie was the little ones protectors and was saving them from the wrath of Bullet(the black lab), Jesse and Ty just hung out and played right along with the big ones. Jesse stood at the window for a while watching the big kids outside and he was just saying "Side...side......side". He loves...LURVES....to be outside playing. It was just so blooming hot that we couldn't be out there for too long....we were disgusting when the night was finally over. Good times people!

My kids start school in two days....and I am sad. Sad that there will be no more sleeping in....not as many late night movies....less freedom to do whatever....but mostly just sad that they won't be here every day.....yelling at each other. No seriously, I will miss them during the day. They are such sweet kids and I would love for them to just be able to be home with me all the time......and I will get my friend to come and home school them....'cause I know they will never listen to anything I teach them!!!! They are excited to see friends for sure....to play on the playground and do all their favorite things. Charlie says "I hate school and am never going back!"....I hate to tell him he has 10 more years and then college. Poor soul. He has no clue!

Shelby is home with me one more year before she starts. She is excited to have Jesse all to herself......Jesse.....he's not so happy! I am sure she will have him dressed up....with make up on...high heels on.....before Friday is over! She is such a hoot and I hope that this year is great for her and I. I hope to be able to work with her daily on her school stuff. She is really smart and can already do so many things that the others couldn't at this age. I think it helps to have older siblings that you want to keep up with.

The three oldest are playing soccer at the church and Charlie is also playing flag football....he wants to wear pads and "hit people"....yeah...this coming from a boy that cries when his baby sister hits him! We are excited for this to start and I am looking forward to watching Shelby play for the first time. I love that my kids can play sports in such a great environment. PM Sports is such an awesome Ministry that my husband does. It is a blessing.

I am looking forward to fall....cooler weather...football and soccer games.....the Dawgs playing....sweatshirts and bonfires.....it can't get her quick enough!!

I couldn't have a post without a picture.....random shot of my cute little Shelby Jean.......she is truly a ray of light.